Ok. Here’s the low-down on “the big date”.

Disclaimer: my roommate YM, made me a lovely Japanese b-day of drinking and snacks. This post is being written under the influence of a 12 hour day and 3 rum (really strong) rum and cokes. You have been warned. Also, I really wish this had been awful enough or good enough to be a really exciting post. Actually, it was neither. On the other hand, I didn’t embarass myself by falling down the stairs, spilling something on someone, or being overcome by lust. So I got that going for me.

First of all, you must know that yesterday was BEAUTIFUL. High 70’s, clear October skies, full moon.

I was a bit early to the concert hall because my usual parking lot actually had spaces available (despite 3 major events in a 2 block area) and this ramp is right next door to the Ordway. Even though I tried to waste some time in the ladies room, the Engineer was there when I came up the stairs.

Of course, I wasn’t sure it was him, because he had his back to me as I came up the stairs. (Ok. I lie. As soon as I saw him standing there at the top of the stairs, I knew it was him, but you can’t just walk up from behind a guy you never met and scare the hell out him.) I wandered over to the coffee counter and tried to make small talk with the usher there. Walked over to the guy in question and sure enough it was him. Looking just as he described himself in the email:

“5′10″ average build, moustache, bald and wearing a suitcoat and tie with some red in it.”

Ok. To be fair he wasn’t completely bald.

Now remember, male pattern baldness is caused by too much testosterone. Or so they like to say. And who doesn’t think Patrick Stewart is sexy? Or Bruce Willis…at least on his good days? None of us are perfect…plus he has a moustache, and I like moustaches. (BTW, this guy was not Patrick Steward or Bruce Willis.)

Plesantries over, he sort of stands there. So I suggest that we go in (we’re basically standing in the foyer at this point.) Good idea. He suggests something to drink. Great idea! He gets red wine, I order coffee (please remember, I’ve had quite the month….don’t want to fall asleep during the concert.) I let him pay not even making a move for my purse. I thank him for the coffee and again for the ticket.

We now have about 35 minutes before the start of the concert. Begin the “small talk” which consisted of me learning a LOT about him…Engineer, works for the state, used to be a consultant, lots about how you have to wait for someone to retire or die before you can get promoted when you work for the state. He learns…um, very little about me, because everytime there was a lull in the converation…there was a LULL in the conversation. The whole night he never caught on that all he had to do was ask me the exact same question I asked him. Oh well.

I got him to laugh a couple of times. He had a great smile and a nice laugh, but never really lightened up. Let us remember “Engineer” and cut him some slack, I suppose. Between pieces in the concert and during intermission conversation continued. It was plesant enough, I suppose, but as I told YM and SH tonight, it never felt like I was at the top of the rollercoaster. No flips of the stomach or racing pulse.

Still I flirted away, hoping to ignite some reaction, frankly, by either him or me. A touch on the arm, letting my knee lean against his during the Mozart (racy, I know) and actually making sure I was leaning up against his arm during the Mendolsson. (The mendolsson was beautiful. I had to be careful not to cry during the 2nd and 3rd movements. They always make me cry, but let’s not freak out the first date dude, you know?)

Nothing. No reaction. No move. I’ve never seen anyone sit so still through a concert. I wondered if he was breathing. Did I terrify him? I think he was nervous, but maybe he’s just being an engineer?

After the concert, he asked if I wanted to get a drink and a bite to eat. Sure, why not! It’s only 10 p.m. and if you think I’m going home this early on my first date in 25 years, your crazy! (Ok, I didn’t say that out loud…I don’t think. Not, I’m sure I didn’t.)

He suggested three different places. All nice options. I didn’t really want to make the decision. Partly as a reaction of having to make every flipping decision in my marriage and partly because I wanted to see what he would decide. He chose the St. Paul Grill. Nice choice.

He ordered a tap beer. I really wanted a scotch, but since I wasn’t yet sure if I would pitch in for the meal, I ordered a beer too. (I did pay half on the tab here. Just so you know, I’m not practicing to be a golddigger…not completely, anyway.) Plus beer is better with food. He ordered pasta (at 10;30 at night??) and I ordered an appetizer (hot artichoke and crab dip) since dessert with beer is usually a bad choice. We continued our conversation. Ok actually, I spent most of the time listening to his experiences camping on the north shore, on the water-shed advisory board and a little tiny bit about his kid’s soccer playing “career”. I kept trying to find out what motivated him to stay on this water-shed board when he kept expressing frustration at what they could do. I have to say, I never really uncovered what he was passionate about.

He did ask about my fishing trip with the boys. And I pushed in some info about my corporate work life, including my 9/11 story just to see if we’d ignite some passionate rant about something…terrorists, or GW or, heck ANYTHING!

About 11:30 he said it was time for him to head home. He offered to walk me to my car. I took him up on it because, hey, it’s 11:30 p.m. and who wants to walk to their car alone? There was a little awkwardness on the sidewalk as I tried to take his arm to 1) flirt a little more 2) steady myself after a beer and walking on 2 1/2″ heels for the first time in over 6 years.

He walked me all the way to my car. I fiddled around for my keys but his body language (3 feet away) was clear that he wasn’t going to make a move at this point. I asked if he wanted a lift to his car (which I knew was at least 6 blocks away.) He took me up on the offer. As we exited the ramp, I opened the moon roof. Have I mentioned the perfect weather and the full moon?

I pulled up behind his car and put the car in neutral. He said he had

“a really nice time. Do you think you’d like to do this again sometime?”

Yes, I’d like that. I had a really good time too, thanks.

“Great. Well, I’ll give you a buzz.”

(I’m not really sure what he means by “buzz” since he doesn’t have my number. I guess email.)

And then he practically broke his arm trying to open the car door to escape. I gave his hand a quick squeeze as I said “thanks again” and he was out. He gave me a little wave from the sidewalk as he walked up to his car. I realized at that point, that I still don’t even know his last name.

Bottom line: “Eh” Nice enough guy. Polite. Nervous. No real sparks at this point.

2nd date?: Sure, why not. But if not, that’s OK too.

Postive/Negative quotient: Postive. Because I felt I looked fabulous and it was a really great concert which fed my soul, and would have no matter what. Also positive because I even did this. I got over the hump (uh, you know what I mean).

— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…

Another year older and deeper in debt 2008
comment airy 2007
Would you like some coffee while you wait? 2006
And on another note…crap 2006

— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…

Another year older and deeper in debt 2008
comment airy 2007
Would you like some coffee while you wait? 2006
And on another note…crap 2006

— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…

Another year older and deeper in debt 2008
comment airy 2007
Would you like some coffee while you wait? 2006
And on another note…crap 2006

Posted on October 8th, 2006 under dating. RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback.